Patents Examined by Stephen Kitt
  • Patent number: 11972976
    Abstract: A planarization system comprises a substrate chuck configured to hold a substrate, a superstrate chuck configured to hold a superstrate, a planarizing head configured to support the superstrate chuck, a positioning system configured to cause the superstrate to come into contact with formable material dispensed on the substrate to form a multilayer structure, the multilayer structure including the superstrate, a film of the formable material, and the substrate, and an annular light source disposed between an upper end of the planarizing head and the substrate chuck. The annular light source is configured to emit light onto an outer annular region of the multilayer structure without emitting the light onto an inner central region of the multilayer structure. The inner central region is located radially inward relative to the outer annular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Byung-Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 11971661
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a first unit block including a first substrate transfer region, a first and a second processing modules provided to face a first and a second sides of the first substrate transfer region in a left-right direction, and a first and a second transfer mechanisms provided at the first and the second sides and configured to deliver a substrate to the first and the second processing modules; a second unit block, stacked on the first unit block, including a second substrate transfer region and a third transfer mechanism; a substrate carry-in/out block provided at a first side of a stack of the unit blocks and configured to deliver the substrate to the first and the third transfer mechanisms; a relay block provided at a second side of the stack and configured to deliver the substrate to the second and the third transfer mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoji Sakata, Masashi Tsuchiyama, Tsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11968881
    Abstract: Shadow masks comprising a multi-layer membrane having a mechanical pre-bias that compensates the effect of gravity on the membrane are disclosed. A shadow mask in accordance with the present disclosure includes a membrane that is patterned with a desired pattern of apertures. The layers of the membrane are selected such that their residual stresses collectively give rise to a stress gradient that is directed normal to the plane of the membrane such that the stress gradient mitigates gravity-induced sag. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a layer pair having internal stresses that are of opposite signs to effect a tendency to bulge outward from the plane of the membrane prior to its release from the substrate. An exemplary membrane includes a layer pair comprising a layer of stoichiometric silicon dioxide that is under residual compressive stress and a layer of stoichiometric silicon nitride that is under residual tensile stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: eMagin Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Walker
  • Patent number: 11944990
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a coating device for coating components with a coating agent, in particular for painting motor vehicle body components, with a printhead, a multi-axis coating robot and with a robot control which controls the coating robot. The disclosure additionally provides for a separate printhead control which controls the printhead valve of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Dürr Systems AG
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Fritz, Benjamin Wöhr, Marcus Kleiner, Moritz Bubek, Timo Beyl, Frank Herre, Steffen Sotzny
  • Patent number: 11944700
    Abstract: A temporary tattooing ink is produced from concentrated genipin. In one embodiment, the concentrated genipin forms part of a solution. In another embodiment, the genipin is provided in a gel form which also includes a solvent and a thickening agent. Finally, an applicator is described into which genipin may be embedded for applying to a user's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Inkbox Ink Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler James Handley, Braden Handley, Christopher Blain Caputo, Adam Manuel Zrehen
  • Patent number: 11942618
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and compositions for the liquid-phase deposition (LPD) of thin films. The thin films can be coated onto the surface of porous components of electrochemical devices, such as battery electrodes. Embodiments of the present disclosure achieve a faster, safer, and more cost-effective means for forming uniform, conformal layers on non-planar microstructures than known methods. In one aspect, the methods and systems involve exposing the component to be coated to different liquid reagents in sequential processing steps, with optional intervening rinsing and drying steps. Processing may occur in a single reaction chamber or multiple reaction chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: CORESHELL TECHNOLOGIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sourav Basu, Jonathan Tan
  • Patent number: 11919019
    Abstract: An automated mobile paint robot, according to particular embodiments, comprises: (1) a wheeled base; (2) at least one paint sprayer; (3) at least one pump; (4) a vision system; (5) a GPS navigation system; and (5) a computer controller configured to: (A) generate a room painting plan using one or more inputs from the GPS navigation system, vision system, etc.; (B) control movement of the automated mobile paint robot across a support surface: (C) use the vision system to position the wheeled base in a suitable position from which to paint a desired area using the at least one paint sprayer; and (D) use the at least one pump to activate the at least one paint sprayer to paint a swath (e.g., swatch) of paint from the suitable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: RevolutioNice Inc.
    Inventors: Sreenivas Raman, Brian Jennings, Ryan J. Giovacchini, Elie Cherbaka, Thomas C. Slater, TianHao Ye
  • Patent number: 11919026
    Abstract: A system (100), apparatus (110), and method (900) for creating a particle stream (70) that is deflected with a secondary gas (518) such as air before coming into contact with the treated substrate surface (80). The system (100) can be implemented as an improvement to a prior art PTWA (plasma transferred wire arc) thermal spraying apparatus (50) by using a non-symmetrical passageway configuration (549). Such a configuration can be an attribute of a nozzle (220) or a secondary gas director (576) such as an air baffle (578).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Flame-Spray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Cook, Keith A. Kowalsky
  • Patent number: 11914298
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid processing apparatus comprising: a stage on which a substrate is placed; a nozzle configured to supply a processing liquid to the substrate placed on the stage and perform a processing on the substrate; a capturing part configured to capture an image of the nozzle so as to acquire image data; and a detector configured to detect a liquid level based on a plurality of the image data acquired by the capturing part at different timings within a period in which a supply of the processing liquid from the nozzle is not performed, wherein the liquid level is formed by the processing liquid or a liquid other than the processing liquid in a processing liquid flow path provided inside the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kunugimoto, Takafumi Hayama, Hidehiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11891702
    Abstract: Thermal spray gun (1) and/or nozzle (120) includes a nozzle body and a liner material (123) arranged within the nozzle body. A material of the nozzle body has a lower melting temperature than that of the liner material (123). A wall thickness (C) of the liner material (123) has a value determined in relation to or that corresponds to a wall thickness (D) of the nozzle body. Alternatively or additionally, a ratio of a total wall thickness of a portion of a nozzle (120) to that of a wall thickness (C) of the liner material (123) has a value determined in relation to or that corresponds to the wall thickness (C) of liner material (123).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: OERLIKON METCO (US) INC.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Molz, Dave Hawley
  • Patent number: 11888142
    Abstract: A powder application apparatus includes a transport device, a powder supplier, a squeegee, and an ultra-high frequency vibration generator. The transport device is configured to move a sheet in a predetermined direction. The powder supplier is configured to supply powder on a surface of the sheet. The squeegee is positioned at a distance from the sheet, and the powder supplier is configured to adjust a thickness of the powder supplied onto the surface of the sheet. The ultra-high frequency vibration generator is configured to vibrate the squeegee at a frequency of 2 kHz or more and 300 kHz or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kojima, Motohiro Okochi, Shunichi Matsuno, Akihiro Horikawa
  • Patent number: 11885035
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to non-ferrous metallurgy and electrolytic production of Aluminium for lining a cathode assembly of an electrolytic cell. The present method includes laying materials while simultaneously distributing same over the surface of a base and levelling them at a height measured from the plane of the top edge of the shell of the cathode assembly of the electrolytic cell by gradually moving a device for installing unformed lining materials along a longitudinal axis of the cathode of the Aluminium electrolytic cell. Said device is configured in the form of a bridge equipped with a mechanical drive for movement. The bridge has guides on which a frame is mounted for vertical movement, said frame having cassettes provided with gates with a mechanical drive. The technical result is reduced labor costs, healthier working conditions for operatives, and better quality installation of the base of an electrolytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: OBSHCHESTVO S ORGANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOST'YU “OBEDINENNAYA KOMPANIYA RUSAL INZHENERNO-TEKHNOLOGICHESKIY TSENTR”
    Inventors: Aleksandr Vladimirovich Proshkin, Samuil Yakovlevich Levenson, Vitalij Valer'evich Pingin, Aleksej Vasil'evich Morozov, Andrej Gennad'evich Sbitnev, Mikhail Aleksandrovich Lantsevich, Vyacheslav Andreevich Goldobin
  • Patent number: 11885021
    Abstract: A gas supply member includes a first side opposite a second side and an inner surface defining a first opening extending between the first and second sides. The gas supply member includes a third side orthogonal to the first side, the third side includes a first extension that has a face partially defining the second side, and the first extension includes a first plurality of holes extending through the first extension to the face. The gas supply member includes a fourth side opposite the third side, the fourth side includes a protrusion that has a face partially defining the second side. The gas supply member also includes a baffle disposed adjacent to the inner surface, the baffle includes a first portion extending from the inner surface and a second portion attached to the first portion, and the second portion orthogonal to the first portion and parallel to the third side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Shah, Vishwas Kumar Pandey, Kailash Pradhan, Sairaju Tallavarjula, Rene George, Eric Kihara Shono, Philip A. Bottini, Roger Curtis
  • Patent number: 11873560
    Abstract: Provided is an abnormality detection system that includes a first controller configured to control a substrate processing apparatus and a second controller configured to control a device provided in the substrate processing apparatus according to an instruction from the first controller, thereby detecting an abnormality in the device. The second controller includes a storage unit configured to collect status signals for the device for a predetermined time and at a predetermined sampling interval in a predetermined cycle and accumulate the collected status signals for the device, and the first controller includes an abnormality determination unit configured to acquire the accumulated status signals for the device from the second controller at a time interval equal to or longer than the predetermined time, and determine presence or absence of an abnormality in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Katsuhito Hirose, Toshio Hasegawa, Shohei Yoshida, Takeshi Shinohara, Shinji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 11835307
    Abstract: A system for coating an interior surface of a heat exchanger includes a tank for storing the coating solution, a pump, a source line for supplying the coating solution to the heat exchanger, and a return line for returning the remainder of the coating solution to the tank. The system can include a pre-treatment line for supplying a pre-treatment solution to the heat exchanger and a water line for supplying water to the heat exchanger. An air compressor can be coupled to the heat exchanger to force the coating solution, the pre-treatment solution, or the water from the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Divakar Mantha, Troy E. Trant
  • Patent number: 11834746
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electroless plating a first metal onto a second metal in a molten salt bath including: a bath vessel holding a dry salt mixture including a dry salt medium and a dry salt medium of the first metal, and without the reductant therein, the dry salt mixture configured to be heated to form a molten salt bath; and the second metal is configured to be disposed in the molten salt bath and receive a pure coating of the first metal thereon by electroless plating in the molten salt bath, wherein the second metal is more electronegative than the first metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC
    Inventor: Melissa Ensor Freiderich
  • Patent number: 11827557
    Abstract: The system includes a robot multi jet system having a spray section, a drier section, and a catalyst section. The drier section includes a warm air blower, the catalyst section includes a photocatalyst tank, and the spray section includes a plurality of jet extensions. A first jet extension connected to the photocatalyst tank sprays a uniform layer of a photocatalyst through a first set of jets, and a second jet extension that is mechanically connected to the drier section and in fluid communication with the warm air blower is configured to spray a gas onto an inner surface of the glass tube with a second set of jets. Both the drier section and the catalyst section are mounted on wheels to move the system on the inner surface of the glass tube. A motor is electrically connected to a battery mounted within the robot and mounted to the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
    Inventor: Feroz Shaik
  • Patent number: 11804371
    Abstract: Provided is a substrate treatment apparatus including a treatment container equipped with a conductive member. The conductive member is made of a material having a lower resistivity than that of the treatment container. The conductive member prevents a rise of an electric potential of the treatment container, which is caused by charging during treatment of a substrate, thereby preventing the substrate from being contaminated and damaged by particles and electrostatic arcing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do Yeon Kim, Se Hoon Oh, Won Geun Kim, Ju Mi Lee, Ho Jong Hwang, Pil Kyun Heo, Hyun Yoon, Choong Hyun Lee, Hyun Goo Park
  • Patent number: 11772116
    Abstract: An end effector is provided that includes a first valve operably connected to a first motor housing, the first valve being moveable along at least four axes, a second valve operably connected to a second motor housing, the second valve being moveable along at least four axes, and a proximity adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a horizontal distance between the first valve and the second valve. An associated conformal coating machine and method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: PRECISION VALVE & AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Schoen, Jonathan Urquhart, Frank Hart
  • Patent number: 11764345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a coating apparatus for producing an electrode, which has a reduced defect rate in the coating process. The coating apparatus includes a die unit having an inlet through which the electrode slurry is introduced and an inner space for accommodating the introduced electrode slurry; a shim unit mounted in the die unit and configured to form an outlet together with the die unit so that the electrode slurry is discharged therethrough; and a cover member configured to surround an outer surface of the die unit and the shim unit so that the electrode slurry is not leaked at the outer surface, except for the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Woo-Ha Kim, In-Seong Kim, Il-Jae Moon, Byoung-Hoon Ahn, Jung-Min Yang, Sang-Hoon Choy